Whale Tail at Dusk

Last evening at dusk, we went sailing with some family members on Kawaihae Bay, on the Kohala Coast of Hawaii's Big Island.  The winds were light, the ocean surface was calm, and the mood was peaceful.

We were escorted for awhile by several Humpback Whales.  The whales seemed to be in a placid mood as well.  We saw no breaches or other dramatic behaviors.  Instead, the huge cetaceans glided along near the boat, occasionally diving below the surface for a time and then reappearing to blow and breathe.  I snapped this photo of  one whale's tail just as as it began a dive.

Hawaii's Big Island to Host Ocean Film Festival

Coming very soon to the Big Island of Hawaii: The Waimea Ocean Film Festival!

The festival, which will take place from January 6, 2011 through January 9, 2011 promises "four and a half days of film, presentations, exhibits, jumping whales, and turqouise water" to attendees.

Venues include the town of Waimea on the Big Island, and the Fairmont Orchid and Mauna Kea resorts.  A smaller, more intimate version of the festival will show again at Four Seasons Resort Hualalai January 13-15, 2011.

TICKET INFORMATION – Film, Event, Contributors and Hualalai passes for the festival may be purchased by calling 808-960-9744 or via email by contacting info@waimeaoceanfilm.org

According to the festival's organizers:

The film festival will feature screenings of 30-40 documentary films and exclusive footage by local Hawaiian flimmakers. The festival includes inspiring paddling footage and surfing films, important and thought provoking documentaries, stunning nature films, and films about island history and culture. A few of the films to be shown include Melali, 180˙ South, Waverider, Sun Come Up, I Am, The Watermen Experience, Papa Mau, Bag It! and Ocean Voyageurs.

The festival will also host presentations by experts and industry leaders, such as Tom Shadyac, director of Ace Ventura Pet Detactive and the Nutty Professor, to speak on the making of his first documentary film, I Am, and Flip Nicklin, photographer and author reknown for his work on humpback whales. Filmmakers will be on hand for Q&A sessions after many of the films.

Attendees also can participate in many other activities, such as yoga on the beach, outrigger canoe paddling lessons, and breakfast talks by filmmakers and other speakers.

There will be art exhibits, including a work in progress by artist Aurora Robson made from plastic debris collected on Kamilo Beach as part of a volunteer clean-up and an exhibit of photography by the National Geographic photographer who traveled with the Hokulea to Tahiti in 1976.

Also: Na Kalai Waa, the Hawaiian voyaging society on Big Island, will host sunset picnic talks each evening, with one evening on the ancient art of Wayfinding, and one evening with a traditional hula telling the story about the sail of Makali’I to Tahiti.

And, as a grand finale, participants can enjoy a lua'u feast at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, on one of Hawaii’s most beautiful beaches.

Click here to view the Waimea Ocean Film Festival brochure.

"Humpbacks from Fire to Ice" - Photo provided by the Waimea Ocean Film Festival

Hymn to the Sea

If the video does not play or display properly above, click here to view it on YouTube.
Hat tip to Tony Berkman at FriedEggs.com, which is where I first saw this video.

Who's sleeping on the job around here?

by B. N. Sullivan

I know, I know -- it's been awfully quiet here at The Right Blue for the past couple of weeks.  If there were crickets underwater, you'd probably hear them chirping!

I haven't been sleeping on the job.  I've been traveling, and then catching up on stuff related to my day job, so I've neglected this space.  I'm about ready to get busy here again -- posting new photos, creature features, and articles about the marine environment. -- so please stand by.

Meanwhile, if you haven't already done so, do check out Jerry's very active Twitter stream @therightblue. He's been busy there, keeping our followers informed about developments surrounding the horrendous oil well catastrophe in the Gulf of Mexico, among other ocean-related topics.